The two-month investigation came to an end last Friday after police discovered a cocaine conversion laboratory during a search of an apartment near 146 Avenue and 50 Street, in the city's north-end.

They found the large stash of cocaine as well as 10.5 kg of a chemical agent used in the cocaine base conversion process valued at $52,000 and more than $265,000 in cash, police said in a press release.

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After searching a vehicle that belonged to one of the accused, police found an additional $12,000 and 0.2 grams of heroin in a hidden compartment.

Sgt. Carlos Cardoso told reporters at a news conference Thursday there would have been nothing to indicate to neighbours there was a drug lab in the apartment complex.

“Unless you paid attention to that suite specifically there would be no indication to you whatsoever,” the Edmonton Journal reports Cardoso as saying.

“There is an odour but it’s not equal to a marijuana grow operation, where you’d smell it.”